AP2SB1-Business Management

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: AP1SB1 Introduction to Management
Non-modular pre-requisites: Must normally take this module if they want to take AP3EB1 Business Strategy. Part 2 and Part 3 students of the Agricultural Business Management Degree are not allowed to enrol for this module as it duplicates material in a compulsory module.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mr Philip Jones
Email: p.j.jones@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module, building on material discussed in AP1SB1, aims to consider: • Specification of management problems and challenges for selection of appropriate tools and techniques • Application of tools and techniques to management problems and challenges • Presentation of the application of management tools and techniques to business problems

Aims:

To develop a deep understanding of the different types of management tools, key business techniques, knowledge and analytical skills required to deal with challenges in a fast growing and changing business environment. Contemporary organisations and companies require graduates to be equipped with skills for fast and successful decision making, project design and management and the ability to demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:


• Generate data appropriate to support management decision-making, including for business development plan projects and enable the evaluation of objectives


• control and evaluate the performance of projects��


• Develop skills enabling the specification of management problems for selection of appropriate tools and techniques (network analysis, critical path analysis, stake holder analysis, flow charts, Gantt charts, etc.)


• demonstrate your ability to apply management tools and techniques to business problems and challenges

Additional outcomes:

• Work both independently and in a team


• Appropriate use of information technologies


• Think creatively and identify trends in data to enable decision making/ development of an argument


• Improve time management and organisational skills

Outline content:

Subjects covered will include the following:

• Classifications of management tools and techniques


• Modelling


• Network and systems analysis


• Gant charts, scheduling, critical path analysis


• Decision analysis – risk and uncertainty, payoff matrices


• Techniques to support business development: SWOT, PEST and Porter’s Five Forces


• Tools and techniques for people man agement – AGILE team/project management


• Stakeholder analysis


• Tools for brainstorming.


• Routes to internationalising business

For some students this will provide pre-requisite knowledge for more advanced teaching in Part 3; for others, a grounding in business techniques.

Global context:

The module uses a set of case studies and examples derived from the global economy and business world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Methods of delivery:

• Lectures - incorporating in-class assignments and discussion


• Online screencasts and videos for asynchronous learning


• Directed learning - reflecting on your experience and assignments.

Lectures will include exercises to reinforce and apply management theory. Students will be expected to develop their thinking on s elected aspects of the module through discussions, class exercises and other methods

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Contact hours:

��	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:	��	��	��
�� �� Wider reading (independent)	20
�� �� Wider reading (directed)	35
�� �� Exam revision/preparation	20
�� �� Revision and preparation	5
��	��	��	��
Total hours by term	100	0	0
��	��	��	��
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

An examination paper in the summer term.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The class test is an on-line based (Blackboard) set of questions/exercises that are based on course work and directed reading (30% of the final mark).��

Formative assessment methods:

At the beginning of the autumn term students will be asked to install to their Android/Windows/iOS devises the “Socrative” student app. This is used for in class quizzes, open questions, group competitions to give you instant feedback on your progress. This will enable further understanding and also will allow the module convenor to evaluate and assess student knowledge and understanding.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:�� None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:�� None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:�� None

4) Printing and binding:�� None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:�� None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:�� None

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Last updated: 22 June 2021